CNN

[Sky303]

Glad her show is back on the air, the set up is an interesting decision, but I'm guessing it's so Amanpour can use the main desk, when she's back and have Hala come on straight after because they still might want some separation.

[FrancisC]

If you go over to Hala’s Instagram story you can see a slightly different view of the studio and this set-up - I think I’m right in saying this desk wasn’t on air last year before lockdown?

[Mr Q]

Not a fan of this set up tbh. The set looks cramped, there's no variety of shots, just a close up shot that might as well be done in Hala's home. The main desk provides so many great shots and sides. Not really sure what's the point of this change.

I think the wide shot - including the original desk and cameras around it - is what makes it look cramped. If the wide shot were pointing the other way (towards what I think is a kind of green room in the corner), I suspect it would look less messy.

[alexw]

Wow, Hala back on her show, and a top-of-the-hour "CNN News Now" headline update with Hala at 23:00 CET. Starting to feel more like pre-pandemic CNNI again!

[bfgarmy]

I suspect the set-up for Hala's show might well be temporary - rather than having 2 hours (if Amanpour hasn't moved back into the studio yet it surely will shortly) presented from the same area which may not be feasible with COVID and probably minimal people on-site they may have decided it was safer to do Hala's programme from a separate presentational area.
The fact there's no obvious computer or screen for Hala to use again hints at that.

I do wonder if they've been using that area too for a while for the London editions of World Sport as those seemed to be a fixed shot in front of a screen similar to what Hala has there.

Given there's still a pandemic I'm not hugely fussed over the presentation - at the end of the day it's another hour of International output gained and we finally have Hala back on air regularly.
And she was only in the new studio for a handful of shows pre-pandemic and before that she was sat in front of a screen so it's not as if much has changed.

My biggest complaint would be that they haven't changed the name of the programme - should a global news channel have a programme with 'Tonight' in the title when programme will be airing in regions like South America where it very much isn't tonight? And it's not the only example - see CNN/Don Lemon Tonight but at least that has the excuse of being a simulcast.

[nznewser]

I suspect the set-up for Hala's show might well be temporary - rather than having 2 hours (if Amanpour hasn't moved back into the studio yet it surely will shortly) presented from the same area which may not be feasible with COVID and probably minimal people on-site they may have decided it was safer to do Hala's programme from a separate presentational area.
The fact there's no obvious computer or screen for Hala to use again hints at that.

I do wonder if they've been using that area too for a while for the London editions of World Sport as those seemed to be a fixed shot in front of a screen similar to what Hala has there.

Given there's still a pandemic I'm not hugely fussed over the presentation - at the end of the day it's another hour of International output gained and we finally have Hala back on air regularly.
My biggest complaint would be that they haven't changed the name of the programme - why has any show on a global news channel got 'Tonight' in the title?

At 6am NZ time, Hala Gorani Tonight makes for excellent breakfast television (Tuesday to Saturdays) and I'm delighted it's back, but you're right, it's not a "Tonight" show for us. But I imagine about 90% of the audience of that show is somewhere in the world where it is evening (Europe, Middle East, Africa), so I haven't been too fussed about the show name. But if I was to pick a name, "Hala Gorani Live" would be more appropriate.

[cityprod]

I suspect the set-up for Hala's show might well be temporary - rather than having 2 hours (if Amanpour hasn't moved back into the studio yet it surely will shortly) presented from the same area which may not be feasible with COVID and probably minimal people on-site they may have decided it was safer to do Hala's programme from a separate presentational area.
The fact there's no obvious computer or screen for Hala to use again hints at that.

I do wonder if they've been using that area too for a while for the London editions of World Sport as those seemed to be a fixed shot in front of a screen similar to what Hala has there.

Given there's still a pandemic I'm not hugely fussed over the presentation - at the end of the day it's another hour of International output gained and we finally have Hala back on air regularly.
My biggest complaint would be that they haven't changed the name of the programme - why has any show on a global news channel got 'Tonight' in the title?

At 6am NZ time, Hala Gorani Tonight makes for excellent breakfast television (Tuesday to Saturdays) and I'm delighted it's back, but you're right, it's not a "Tonight" show for us. But I imagine about 90% of the audience of that show is somewhere in the world where it is evening (Europe, Middle East, Africa), so I haven't been too fussed about the show name. But if I was to pick a name, "Hala Gorani Live" would be more appropriate.

This might just be reflective of my age, but that gives me vibes of Larry King Live and I'd be expecting more interviews than actual news.

[bfgarmy]

I suspect the set-up for Hala's show might well be temporary - rather than having 2 hours (if Amanpour hasn't moved back into the studio yet it surely will shortly) presented from the same area which may not be feasible with COVID and probably minimal people on-site they may have decided it was safer to do Hala's programme from a separate presentational area.
The fact there's no obvious computer or screen for Hala to use again hints at that.

I do wonder if they've been using that area too for a while for the London editions of World Sport as those seemed to be a fixed shot in front of a screen similar to what Hala has there.

Given there's still a pandemic I'm not hugely fussed over the presentation - at the end of the day it's another hour of International output gained and we finally have Hala back on air regularly.
My biggest complaint would be that they haven't changed the name of the programme - why has any show on a global news channel got 'Tonight' in the title?

At 6am NZ time, Hala Gorani Tonight makes for excellent breakfast television (Tuesday to Saturdays) and I'm delighted it's back, but you're right, it's not a "Tonight" show for us. But I imagine about 90% of the audience of that show is somewhere in the world where it is evening (Europe, Middle East, Africa), so I haven't been too fussed about the show name. But if I was to pick a name, "Hala Gorani Live" would be more appropriate.

Or something like IDesk.
CNN do like reusing show names - YWT springs to mind, we've had various iterations of CNN Today and even Zain's new show is very similarly named to World One which was also hosted by a Zain (the brilliant Zain Verjee).

As well as the 'Tonight' I've never really been a fan of shows being named after the anchor - it gives the impression a show is more about the presenter than the stories (though that's not the case with Hala's programme) and it makes it more noticable when the anchor is inevitably off and you get the 'Hala is off tonight, I'm Presenter X' speel.

All quibbles aside though it's great to have a nice 7-hour block though full of international news and programmes. All CNNI need to do is slot back in The Brief and YWT somehwere during the day and I'd be happy as larry (though I wouldn't be surprised if one of those shows doesn't return).

[Sky303]

I didn't get to see the start, but the graphics for Don Lemon Tonight are the same as CNN Tonight

[matthieu1221]

I do wonder if they've been using that area too for a while for the London editions of World Sport as those seemed to be a fixed shot in front of a screen similar to what Hala has there.

World Sport editions have been aired from the actual flash set. This studio set-up might actually have been the one used when Isa Soares presented QMB recently.

[gman]

Not a fan of this set up tbh. The set looks cramped, there's no variety of shots, just a close up shot that might as well be done in Hala's home. The main desk provides so many great shots and sides. Not really sure what's the point of this change.

n
I think the wide shot - including the original desk and cameras around it - is what makes it look cramped. If the wide shot were pointing the other way (towards what I think is a kind of green room in the corner), I suspect it would look less messy.

It's too busy. A cramped corner with several cameras and a desk!
I've said that about the new set before though - there is too much going on. They are limited enough because of the massive structural pillars but all the nooks and different screens make it look messy.
I like the main shot with the big (albeit oversized!) desk and the shot with the tall screen that was used by Max for the 1p edition of Newsroom or Bianca for The Brief. Once the camera is on the anchor, they may as well be using a flash set because they don't move so it's a waste of space.

[matthieu1221]

CNN Brazil's flagship anchor is back in the studio after 14 months of anchoring from home. Interesting report shows the evolution of his WFH set-up which by the end resembled a mini studio. All other anchors are also back in the studio following the dramatic increase in cases earlier this year when all 40 year old+ anchors were made to anchor from home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7FRKcg3vUs

[nznewser]

CNN is launching "Marketplace Europe" anchored by Nina dos Santos and Anna Stewart, and Marketplace Asia anchored by Kristi Lu Stout and Selina Wang. Marketplace Middle East is launching soon. This is on top of Marketplace Africa which already airs. I'm pleased to see Nina dos Santos getting a show back. They are all monthly shows.

Hopefully they actually delve into issues rather than just coming across as sponsored shows which sometimes these types of programmes do.

I do note however that the times they air means First Move will be cut back by 15 mins, similar to how QMB sometimes is these days. Why couldn't they cut it into one of the New Day hours instead so we aren't losing international news time?

https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2021/...franchise/

[matthieu1221]

Marketplace Middle East is launching soon

If I'm not mistaken Marketplace Middle East has already existed in some shape or form.

Not confident about the content in these filler shows, I'd rather have Nina dos Santos back in a London-based business show and KLS doing a primetime show for Asia-Pacific.

[ATLerinHK]

Marketplace Middle East is launching soon

If I'm not mistaken Marketplace Middle East has already existed in some shape or form.

Not confident about the content in these filler shows, I'd rather have Nina dos Santos back in a London-based business show and KLS doing a primetime show for Asia-Pacific.

I agree 100%, but its nice to see Nina and Kristie have somewhat regular shows. The way CNNI treats them is not okay in my opinion. They are two of the best anchors they have and they canceled their shows to replace them with CNN US simulcasts. Even if it's not live news, I'm glad they have a regular timeslot again. Perhaps this could signal Nina and KLS could be getting live shows again, Zain hosted Marketplace Africa for a while and now she has a live show again.